2015 FCC Game 1: Alberta 39, Manitoba 08

I've been looking forward to the Football Canada Cup for months and when it finally started, I was unable to give it the attention that I'd planned to. But I'm catching up now.

Football Canada does a good job of recapping the games, providing stats and so, and it would only make sense to refer to them for information. No sense in repeating it here word for word. I'm going to attempt to track down alternative media sources then, starting with a recap of the first game between Alberta and Manitoba, from the Cochrane Eagle. The photo of Des Catellier is from Rocky View Weekly by way of Alberta Football News.

Team Alberta started off on the right foot at the Football Canada Cup tournament in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., on July 13. 

Riding the arm of Cochrane Midget Lions quarterback Des Catellier, Alberta defeated Team Manitoba 39-8 at the national tournament for elite, under-18-year-old (U18) high school football players. 

Catellier threw for three touchdowns and booted two field goals to power Alberta to the win. Slated to play the first half, an early injury to second-half QB Alexander Noel of Grande Prairie left Catellier in the driver’s seat for the entire contest. He was 17-of-27 for 252 yards, three TDs and a pick. 

“The offensive line played really well, I had a lot of good protection,” said the Bearspaw resident who plays high-school ball for Calgary powerhouse St. Francis. “The play-calling was good. I like our playbook. It was good.” 

Alberta vaulted to a 19-0 lead, 14 points coming on a 37-yard TD strike to Foothills Comp’s (Okotoks) Landon Rose and a 66-yard scoring connection with Red Deer’s Ben Pasiuk. 

... 

Joining Catellier on Team Alberta are high school all-stars Justin Sambu (defensive end, Cochrane High) and Dan Teitz (linebacker, Springbank High). Like Catellier, both play community club ball for Cochrane Midget Lions. 

“We were just looking to execute,” Sambu said of Alberta holding Manitoba to eight points. “The coaches really thrive when the defence plays up-tempo. We’re looking to execute and be great football players. 

“It was a lot harder than what I’m used to. They (Manitoba) were pretty good.” 

Sambu chased down two tackles from his defensive-end spot and knocked down a Manitoba field-goal attempt... 

Alberta Offensive Player of the Game
QB / PK Des Catellier: 17 of 27 passing, 252 yards, 3 TDs, 3 carries for 15 yards

Alberta Defensive Player of the Game
DL Tyrese Best:  2.0 tackles, 1 sack and a pass knockdown

Manitoba Offensive Player of the Game
REC Liam Grace: Five receptions for 63 yards and a score.

Manitoba Defensive Player of the Game
DL Jalen Burley: 3.5 tackles (1.5 for loss), 1 sack.

In terms of contributors, Manitoba QB Bryson McNeil hit Grace for the TD from 38 yards out. Matthew Lucyshin took an interception back for a score late in the fourth quarter as well. Finally, Manitoba's Keenan Onyebuchi is credited with eight solo tackles.

Football Canada Cup, Day 3: Manitoba 24, Saskatchewan White 10

It seems as though the credit for this win can be directed towards the Manitoba pass defense. Saskatchewan had 25 yards passing.  Following "losses", which I assume includes the four quarterback sacks credited to Manitoba, Sask White had -8 yards of net offense.

Let's not judge Sask White too harshly though.  They were considered the secondary provincial team in the tournament and still had a respectable showing.  The players will have earned valuable experience from the participation.

Saskatchewan-White drew first blood following a fumble recovery at the Manitoba 32-yard line. Quarterback Tyler Hermann hit Sean Renouf in the corner of the end zone to make the score 7-0 with 2 minutes to play in the opening quarter. 

A rouge followed by a conceded safety touch made the score 9-0 at the end of the first quarter. 

Manitoba replied following a Saskatchewan fumble at midfield. After a Trevor Wright touchdown run was called back due to an offsides penalty, he ran the ball down to the 12-yard line on the next play. Brandon Stitch took over from there narrowing the Sask lead 9-7. 

Manitoba took the lead 10-9 at the end of the first half with a 39-yard line drive field goal by Keenan Onyebuchi. 

With four minutes to play in the first half, Manitoba struck again following a fumble recovery which gave them great field position at the Sask 35-yard line. Quarterback William Reimer found Jake Robertson on a 12-yard touchdown strike to widen the ‘Toba lead 17-9.
A Trevor Wright rushing touchdown sealed the Manitoba victory 23-10.

MVPs
Manitoba offense: RB Trevor Wright - 20 carries for 150 yards and a score.
Manitoba defense: LB Luke Sperry - One tackle, one assist, three special teams tackles, half a sack  and a fumble recovery.

Saskatchewan White offense: WR Sean Renouf - 1 reception for 20 yards and a score.
Saskatchewan White defense: LB Baxton Moffatt - Four solo tackles a forced fumble.

As a point of interest, both Manitoba MVPs represented the St-Paul's high school program.

Football Canada Cup, Day 2: Manitoba 54, New Brunswick 00

Along the lines of what I stated about the Canada/France U19 World Championship game, finding coverage of the second day of the Football Canada Cup if proving problematic and, frankly, irritating.  I know hockey rules in this country but a National tournament should gather a bit more love, in my opinion.  Ah well.

From Football Canada:

New Brunswick’s offense struggled to find its offensive rhythm throughout most the contest while Manitoba’s rhythm came early. 

Following a NB 2-and-out, Manitoba scored on their two opening possessions. A 7-yard Brandon Sitch touchdown run put Manitoba on the board. 

Quarterback Will Reimer connected on four opening half touchdown passes. First he found Sam Blakely on an 11-yard strike followed by touchdown passes to Bradon Sitch, Kai Madsen and Liam Grace. 

A Trevor Wright rushing touchdown opened the second half scoring to give Manitoba a comfortable 44-0 lead.

MVPs
Manitoba offense: QB Will Reimer - 9 of 10 passing, 153 yards, four touchdowns
Manitoba defense: DE Tristan Bredin - Three solo tackles

New Brunswick offense: WR Joshua Hicks - Five receptions, 26 yards
New Brunswick defense: DB Travis Branscombe - Four tackles, one forced fumble, one INT returned 35 yards.

Football Canada Cup, Day 1, Game 4: Saskatchewan Green 20, Manitoba 02

Even though this is the 4th game in the tournament, it took place minutes after the event's ceremonial kick off.  Go figure.  But being that there's probably a little regional rivalry there, ending the day's activities with the top Saskatchewan squad versus Manitoba makes sense.  Recap from Football Canada.

Saskatchewan-green scored a pair of first half touchdown en route to a 20-2 win in game four of the 2014 Football Canada Cup at Griffiths Stadium on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.

To open the scoring, Saskatchewan capitalized on great field position following a botched Manitoba punt as quarterback Sawyer Buettner found Dryden Kalesnikoff in the end zone to make the score 6-0. Manitoba blocked the point after attempt to minimize the damage.

Later in the half, Buettner struck again finding receiver Kade Belyk on a 55-yard touchdown pass to widen the host’s lead 13-0.

After Manitoba punter Jonathan Bennett recovered his own punt to give Manitoba possession near mid-field both teams traded turnovers. Saskatchewan struck first as defensive back Payton Hall blocked and recovered a Manitoba field goal attempt near the 25. Next Saskatchewan quarterback Sawyer Buettner was hit as he threw and the fumble was recovered by Manitoba at the Sask 40-yard line.

Manitoba got on the board as Sask conceded the safety at 6:19 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

Saskatchewan widened their lead 20-2 following a touchdown run by running back Jamal Hooker.

MVPs
Saskatchewan Green offense: WR Kade Belyk - Five receptions for 190 yards and a score.
Saskatchewan Green defense: LB Davin Williamson - Two solo tackles and four assists.

Manitoba offense: WR Kai Madsen - Four receptions for 63 yards.
Manitoba defense: LB Maxx Toutant - Two solo tackles, one assist, one quarterback sack and two forced fumbles.